Sometimes we have to plow through rough water to find our happy places.

The first part of each ocean kayak adventure involves the paddle out. Before I can enjoy the smoother ocean waters, I have to get through the breakers coming to shore.

I have learned the best way for me to stay afloat is to lean forward into the incoming waves and keep paddling.  At times, I need to shift my direction a bit to better navigate the swells. If I stop paddling, lean back in the seat, or fail to adjust my direction, I increase my chances of rolling and being dumped into the water.

To keep moving toward my destination I have to lean in, maintain momentum, and shift as needed.

The same for our goals.

Once we set our goals, we have to take action.  We have to move forward.  We must begin paddling.  We will run into obstacles.

Shift happens.

How we handle the shift creates consequences.

Video recommendation of the week.

You will notice in this video that after I navigate three waves crashing into the bow I seem to finally be beyond the breakers and in the calm waters I sought.  However, after a few moments a fourth—bigger wave—appears.

I see it as another part of the metaphor. Obstacles can appear at any time. While, like the waves in this video, the challenges may be small, they will continue to come. How we handle them determines our outcome. Will we let them interfere with reaching our happy place?

Make it an inspiring week and H.T.R.B. as needed.

For information about and to order my new book, Stories About Teaching, Learning, and Resilience: No Need to be an Island, click here.

My podcasts: The Growth and Resilience Network™ (http://stevepiscitelli.com/media-broadcast/podcast).

My programs and webinars: website  (http://stevepiscitelli.com/programs/what-i-do) and (http://stevepiscitelli.com/programs/webinars).

Pearson Education publishes my student textbooks for life success—Choices for College Success (3^rd edition) and Study Skills: Do I Really Need This Stuff? (3^rd edition).

(c) 2017. Steve Piscitelli. All rights reserved.